Assembled fender unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an assembled fender unit composed of a shock-receiver portion with a reinforcing piece embedded therein, a fixture portion with a reinforcing piece embedded therein, and an elastic intermediate section connecting the shock-receiver portion and the fixture portion with said section being inclined relative to the shock-receiver portion and the fixture portion.

United States Patent 11 1 Narabu Jan. 29, 1974 1 ASSEMBLED FENDER UNIT 3,418,815 12/1968 Kumazawa 114/219 x 3,418,816 12/1968 Kumazawa 114/219 X [75] Inventor- Narabu Japan 3,507,123 4/1970 Miura 114/219 x [73] Assignee: Seibu Gomu Kagaku Kabushiki Tokyo Japan Primary ExaminerJ. Karl Bell [22] Filed: Oct, 23, 1969 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Linton & Linton [21] Appl. No.: 868,874

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 8, 1969 Japan 44-41695 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1967 Parker 114/219 X The present invention relates to an assembled fender unit composed of a shock-receiver portion with a reinforcing piece embedded therein, a fixture portion with a reinforcing piece embedded therein, and an elastic intermediate section connecting the shock-receiver.

portion and the fixture portion with said section being inclined relative to the shock-receiver portion and the fixture portion,

3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAHBQ 19M 3.788.082

sum 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. 3-1120 (NM!) NHRABU ATTO/PNE Y5.

ASSEMBLED FENDER UNIT DESCRIPTION This invention is concerned with fender units which are to be assembled in the field and to serve for the protection of piers, and the like from vessels docked alongside the same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of one form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same form.

FIGS. 3 to 7 are cross-sections of further modifications.

And FIGS. 8 to 14 are cross-sections of assembled fender units according to the present invention.

The form of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a shock-receiver portion 1 composed of an elastic material like rubber or synthetic resin, in which.

a reinforcing piece 2 of iron or the like is embedded.

A fixture portion 3 is made of an elastic material like rubber or synthetic resin, which is also fortified with an embedded iron piece 4. The shock-receiver portion 1 and the fixture portion 3 are connected by and integral.

with an intermediate section made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin. The section 5 is inclined relative to the shock-receiver portion 1 and the fixture portion 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the section 5 extends on an incline from the right end of the fixture portion 3 in which the reinforcing piece 4 is embedded. The tip of the section 5, where the reinforcing piece 2 is embedded, serves as the shock-receiver portion 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the section 5 extends on an incline from about the midpoint of the fixture portion 3 where a reinforcing piece 4 is embedded. The shock-receiver portion 1 extends from the tip of the section 5 toward the right and within the shockreceiver portion 1 the reinforcing piece 2 is embedded.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the shock-receiver portion 1 has a reinforcing piece 2 embedded therein and the fixture portion 3 in which the reinforcing piece 4 is embedded, are joined near their midpoint by the slanting section 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the section 5 extends on an incline from the right end of the fixture portion 3 with the reinforcing piece 4 embedded therein. The right side of the section 5 forms a concave are 6 and the tip with the reinforcing piece 2 embedded therein, of the section 5 serves as the shock-receiver portion 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the section 5 extends on an incline from about the midpoint of the fixture portion 3 in which the reinforcing piece 4 is embedded. The right side of the section 5 forms the concave are 6, while the tip, where the reinforcing piece 2 is embedded, of the section 5 serves as the shock-receiver portion 1.

The fender units illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 are used in combination and assembled together with a shockreceiving board to the pier for protection of ships and piers.

To explain the assembly of the fender unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tips of shock-receiver portions 1, 1 of two fender units as shown in FIG. 8 are butted together and the fixture portions 3 together with the reinforcing pieces 4 are fixed to the pier 8 by means of anchor bolts 7. A shock-receiving board 9 is attached to the surfaces of shock-receiver portions 1, 1. The shockreceiving board 9 is fabricated of shape steel, iron plate, wood or hard synthetic resin. This board 9 is attached to the surfaces of the shock-receiver portions 1, 1 by fixing the board 9 to the reinforcing pieces 2, 2 by means of bolts.

In FIG. 9, the tips of shock-receiver portions 1, 1 of two fender units are separated and in this condition the fixture portions 3, 3 are fixed to the pier 8 by means of the anchor bolts 7, 7, with a single shock-receiving board extending over the shock-receiver portions 1, 1.

In FIG. 10, the two fender assemblies of FIG. 8 are arranged side by side and fixed to the pier 8, with a single shock-receiving board 9 extending over four shockreceiver portions 1.

In FIG. 11, on the outside of the fender assembly illustrated in FIG. 8 two other fender units with their shock-receiver portions 1 facing inward are fixed to the pier 8, with a single shock-receiving board 9 being attached extending over four shock-receivers 1, 1'.

In FIG. 12, the tips of shock-receiver portions 1, 1 of a fender assembly are butted together and fixed to the' pier 8. A joiner 10 is attached across the two shockreceiver portions 1, 1. Two other fender units are assembled with the tips of shock-receiver portions 1', l butted together. The shock-receiver portions 1', 1' are fixed to the joiner 10, and a single shock-receiving board 9 is attached over the fixture portions 3, 3.

In FIG. 13, two fender units are assembled with the tips of their shock-receiver portions 1, 1 separated from each other. The fixture portions 3, 3 are fixed to the pier 8. The joiner 10 is fitted across the shockreceiver portions 1, 1. Two other fender units are assembled with their fixture portions 3', 3' attached to the joiner 10. And a single shock-receiving board 9 is fitted extending over the shock-receiver portions 1', 1

In FIG. 14, the shock-receiving board 9 is attached to the pier 8. To the shock-receiving board 9 is connected an assembly of two fender units with their shock-receiver portions 1, l butted together. The joiner 10 is fitted across the fixture portions 3, 3. The fixture portions 3, 3' of another assembly of two fender units are attached to the joiner 10, with a shockreceiving board 9' fitted extending over the shockreceiver portions 1', l of the latter assembly.

This invention represents a unit of one shockreceiver portion 1 and one fixture portion 3 being joined by an elastic intermediate section 5. A plurality of units are assembled in the field with a shockreceiving board 9 and a joiner 10 to form a fender.

Unlike the conventional fender, this unit is compact and easy to manufacture or transport. Using such units, a variety of fenders of various sizes and various energy absorption capabilities can be built. The outstanding feature is that, whatever size the fender assembly may be, it can be easily built in the field.

Besides, the section 5 connecting the shock-receiver portion 1 and the fixture portion 3, which is an inclined elastic piece, can provide ample cushioning effect. Also the shock-receiver portion 1 and the fixture portion 3, with reinforcing pieces 2, 4 respectively embedded therein, have ample structural strength.

I claim:

1. A dock fender comprising four fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said receiver portion and a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion, an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion, and said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receiving board being attached to the shock receiving portions of all of said fender units, pairs of said fender units being on opposite sides of said shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portions of a pair of said fender units.

2. A dock fender comprising a pair of fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said receiver portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion and an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion, said fixture portion and said shock receiver portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receiving board being attached to the shock receiving portions of both fender units, a second pair of fender units and a second shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portion of said first mentioned pair of fender units and to the shock receiver portion of said second pair of fender units. 8

3. A dock fender comprising a pair of fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said shock receiver portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion and an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receiver board being attached to the shock receiver portions of both fender units, a second pair of fender units, a second shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portions of both pairs of fender units and a third shock receiving board being attached to the shock receiver portions of the second pair of fender units. 

1. A dock fender comprising four fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said receiver portion and a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion, an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion, and said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receivinG board being attached to the shock receiving portions of all of said fender units, pairs of said fender units being on opposite sides of said shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portions of a pair of said fender units.
 2. A dock fender comprising a pair of fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said receiver portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion and an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion, said fixture portion and said shock receiver portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receiving board being attached to the shock receiving portions of both fender units, a second pair of fender units and a second shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portion of said first mentioned pair of fender units and to the shock receiver portion of said second pair of fender units.
 3. A dock fender comprising a pair of fender units each having a shock receiver portion, a fixture portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said shock receiver portion, a reinforcing piece embedded in said fixture portion and an elastic intermediate section connecting said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and being inclined relative to said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion and said shock receiver portion and said fixture portion extending laterally in opposite directions from said intermediate section, a shock receiver board being attached to the shock receiver portions of both fender units, a second pair of fender units, a second shock receiving board being attached to the fixture portions of both pairs of fender units and a third shock receiving board being attached to the shock receiver portions of the second pair of fender units. 